Circlips, also known as retaining rings or snap rings, are a type of fastener used to secure components onto a shaft or inside a bore. They are typically made of metal and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different applications.
Circlips are designed to be installed into a groove on the outside diameter of a shaft or on the inside diameter of a bore. Once in place, the circlip provides a shoulder that prevents the component from sliding off the shaft or out of the bore.
External Circlips – DIN 471
External circlips DIN 471 is a standard for metric external circlips that specifies the dimensions, materials, and tolerances for these types of retaining rings. The standard is maintained by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which is the German Institute for Standardization.
DIN 471 external circlips have a circular shape and a small gap in the ring that allows them to be expanded or contracted to fit onto a shaft. They are typically made of spring steel and come in a range of sizes to fit different shaft diameters.
The standard specifies the dimensions of the circlip, including the shaft diameter, the ring diameter, the thickness, and the gap width. It also defines the materials that can be used for the circlip, including carbon spring steel, stainless steel, and phosphated spring steel.
Internal Circlips – DIN 472
Internal circlips DIN 472 is a standard for metric internal circlips that specifies the dimensions, materials, and tolerances for these types of retaining rings. The standard is maintained by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which is the German Institute for Standardization.
DIN 472 internal circlips have a circular shape and are installed inside a bore to retain a component on a shaft. They have a small gap in the ring that allows them to be expanded or contracted to fit into a groove in the bore. Like external circlips, they are typically made of spring steel and come in a range of sizes to fit different bore diameters.
The standard specifies the dimensions of the circlip, including the bore diameter, the ring diameter, the thickness, and the gap width. It also defines the materials that can be used for the circlip, including carbon spring steel, stainless steel, and phosphated spring steel.
Snap Rings – DIN 9925 and DIN 9926
Snap rings DIN 9925 and DIN 9926 are standards for inch and metric snap rings, respectively, that specify the dimensions, materials, and tolerances for these types of retaining rings.
DIN 9925 and DIN 9926 snap rings, also known as retaining rings, are similar to circlips in that they are used to secure components onto a shaft or inside a bore. They are typically made of spring steel and have a circular shape with a small gap in the ring that allows them to be expanded or contracted to fit into a groove or bore.
The standards specify the dimensions of the snap ring, including the shaft or bore diameter, the ring diameter, the thickness, and the gap width. They also define the materials that can be used for the snap ring, including carbon spring steel, stainless steel, and phosphated spring steel.
Type E Circlips – DIN 6799
Type E circlips DIN 6799 is a standard for metric Type E circlips that specifies the dimensions, materials, and tolerances for these types of retaining rings.
Type E circlips are similar to other circlips in that they are used to secure components onto a shaft or inside a bore. However, they have a unique shape that features a tapered section that allows them to be installed and removed easily without the need for special tools.
DIN 6799 Type E circlips are typically made of spring steel and come in a range of sizes to fit different shaft diameters. The standard specifies the dimensions of the circlip, including the shaft diameter, the ring diameter, the thickness, and the gap width. It also defines the materials that can be used for the circlip, including carbon spring steel, stainless steel, and phosphated spring steel.
The dimensions of circlips can vary depending on the standard and size. Here is a general guide and size chart for external and internal circlips:
External Circlips:
Shaft Diameter: 3mm to 400mm
Ring Diameter: 5mm to 500mm
Thickness: 0.5mm to 6mm
Gap Width: 0.3mm to 1.6mm
Internal Circlips:
Bore Diameter: 8mm to 400mm
Ring Diameter: 10mm to 500mm
Thickness: 0.5mm to 6mm
Gap Width: 0.3mm to 1.6mm
Note that these dimensions are general and may vary depending on the specific standard and manufacturer.
Snap Ring pliers (or Circlip Pliers or Retaining Ring Pliers) are a tool designed to install and remove snap rings, which are small metal rings that hold in a bearing or other assembly item by setting into a machined groove. Snap rings are common in car engine parts as well as in motorcycle and bicycle shocks and forks.